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They are “systematically and deliberately subjected to gross violations of human rights law by all parties to the conflict in the region,” according to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel.
“Violence committed by settlers is a direct result of Israeli policies that support, enable and protect their actions, while Hamas-affiliated forces have exploited the vacuum created by Israel’s relentless attacks. and widespread destruction in Gaza,” said Srinivasan Muralidhar, chairman of the Commission.
“Something very similar is intentional suffering on Palestinian civilians. Although their origins and motivations are different, both operate in an environment engineered by Israel.”
Settlement, annexation and transfer
That report warned that settler attacks continued to increase in the West Bank, with at least seven Palestinians killed and 832 injured last year – an increase of 130 percent compared to 2024.
It found that Israeli authorities were directly involved in settler attacks through financial and military support and by providing impunity from prosecution.
Settler violence”serves as a means of implementing the policies of the State of Israel“both states and violent settler groups are working toward the same strategic goals: strengthening Israeli settlements, annexing Palestinian territory, and expelling Palestinians from their land,” he said.
The commission documented several cases of how settlers attacked, kidnapped and abused Palestinian children, including when they were playing outside, going to school or caring for animals.
Sexual violence usually causes fear
Settlers also commit sexual violence, or threaten sexual violence, to instill fear and humiliate Palestinians.
In one incident, a group of settlers attacked Palestinians in Khirbeit Humsa in March. The women and girls were beaten and threatened with rape if their families did not leave the land.
“A man was stripped naked, sexually assaulted, his genitals were tied with zippers and he was dragged and paraded while being beatenthe report said.
“Israeli police reported that they had arrested seven people in connection with this attack; however, The Commission is not aware of the outcome of any investigation or trial.”
Executions and violence in Gaza
In Gaza, the Commission identified 249 cases of executions and severe physical violence between 2024 and 2025, with at least 108 deaths and 384 injuries.
“These cases involve executions, knee beatings, beating of bones with metal pipes or cement bricks and beatings and are framed by the perpetrators as punishment for alleged collaboration with Israel.looting of humanitarian aid, theft, drug-related offenses or affiliation with internal rivals,” the report said.
Hamas-affiliated forces were involved in at least 60 of the incidentsincluding two public executions of 11 men. Investigators said these acts constituted war crimes of murder and torture, as well as violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“The Commission is very concerned about the harsh and public nature of Hamas’ punitive measures in Gaza causing deep trauma to civilians who have already experienced severe trauma,” said Mr. Muralidhar.
He added that “the future framework for peace and stability in Gaza must include clear and enforceable accountability commitments.”
Attacks on Israeli civilians
Investigators also pointed to a a significant increase in killings and attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed groups and individuals in 2023, raising serious concerns that these attacks constitute a violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
The report’s findings highlight the need to ensure the protection of civilians, as well as accountability for violations committed by all parties, and other recommendations.
This will be presented to Human Rights Council62nd session on June 15 in Geneva.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel was appointed by the Council in May 2021.
The three Commissioners are not UN staff and they also do not receive payment for their work.
